The two-day Quetta Literary Festival (QLF) is currently underway at the Balochistan University of Information Technology & Management Sciences (BUITEMS). Literary festivals have become a central element of the cultural milieu of the major cities such as Lahore and Karachi. But other than these big cities, not much is heard from other smaller, yet important cities. Particularly any city from the neglected province of Balochistan. The Quetta Literally Festival is here to change that.
One just can’t imagine, So many people are putting so much effort to make this event successful. We are working day and night… We hope this Literary Festival will make a difference.#QLF2018
— Quetta Literary Festival (@QuettaLF) May 3, 2018
Quetta Literary Festival has commenced in its full zeal. The idea is to introduce the contemporary literary, artistic & aesthetic dialogue to the culturally rich city of #Quetta#Balochistan #QuettaLiteraryFestival #QLF2018 #SettingBenchmarks #PromotingCulture #CulturalDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/iCQhFcqbuo
— Voice Of Balochistan (@VofBalochistan) May 7, 2018
On the first day, renowned writers, poets, artists, women rights activists, journalists and experts spoke on spoke on different topics. This included the hotly debated topic of journalism itself, with particular emphasis on the shortcomings currently present in the system. They discussed various methods to ensure a more comprehensive journalistic setup that caters to Pakistan entirely and not just the mainstream cities.
Discussing feminism with some of the greats at the Quetta Literary Festival. @amarsindhu @QuettaLF #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/Iy8z4MW5ON
— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) May 7, 2018
@ZarrarKhuhro and @Xadeejournalist ‘s interaction with hazara and Pashtun students #QLF2018 #Buitems pic.twitter.com/Y0IUlOis4O
— Haris Agha (@harispe2) May 7, 2018
The promising session of Quetta Literary Festival just kicked off on “Balochistan as Imagined by the World and Lessons for Pakistan” and amazing speakers the like of Mr. Ashraf Jahangir Qazi and Mr. Rafiullah Kakar #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/3hU00Mc37H
— Qudrat Shah (@QudratSyed) May 7, 2018
2nd session of the #QLF2018 Multilingual Mushaira presided by Amjad Islam Amjad, poets of #Urdu #Pashto #Balochi #Brahvi #Hazargi pic.twitter.com/V34OgqVGEq
— Anwar Ali Arqam (@aliarqam) May 7, 2018
The need for an early introduction to the treasure cove that is the literary world was also addressed at the Quetta Literary Festival.
Kids are here to make #QLF2018 even more colorful. Musharraf Ali Farooqi is narrating “Podna aur Podni” and “Joon Chatt Patt”. pic.twitter.com/d7F1taIXMB
— Masood (@mascud__) May 7, 2018
An elephant would destroy frog homes when he passed by. Frogs asked the elephant to take care. Elephant said no. Frogs teamed up w crows who took elephant’s eye out. Elephant blinded, falls into well: @microMAF on violence in children’s fiction at #QLF2018
— Mahim Maher (@Mahim_Maher) May 7, 2018
My favorite picture of the day. VC, BUITEMS, Ahmed Farooq Bazai (S.I), Musharraf Farooqi, Prof. Niazi, and Prof. Dr Nawaz with school students. Most of these kids are hazaras, they were incredibly talented. #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/K4YFH24B7G
— Masood (@mascud__) May 7, 2018
Introducing children to age-appropriate literature helps as a coping mechanism in the real world as they grow old. Addressing this at the literary festival of such scale will hopefully help parents and teachers strategize childhood exposure to literature better.
Art by students was on display as well, which only added to the rich depictions of culture at the festival.
Saw some of the most amazing sculptures done by students at #Buitems#QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/a74n6D1NBt
— Ali Hashmi (@Ali_Madeeh) May 7, 2018
Fine Arts at #QLF2018 #Quetta pic.twitter.com/NGcTnAl9eE
— salma jafar (@Chiltan) May 7, 2018
Several political observations were made at the Quetta Literary Festival as well.
@Xadeejournalist says we shouldn’t be mired in cynicism. We should support movements like #PTM and the #Hazara struggle even if we don’t agree with 100% of their demands. Things could change. #QLF2018 @QuettaLF pic.twitter.com/fzdLU7M87i
— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) May 7, 2018
@ZarrarKhuhro says everyone is condemning the attack on #AhsanIqbal, but no one wants to talk about why it actually happened. It’s like a smoker coughing up blood but not wanting to talk about cigarettes. @QuettaLF #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/UwAVakijvZ
— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) May 7, 2018
These last two tweets perhaps highlight the need for such positive events as the Quetta Literary Festival the most. Where mainstream media is busy reporting events from the more metropoliton cities, festivals like QLF help provide an outlet for neglected regions to discuss critically what needs to change. With the Pashtun Long March having to face a media blackout, the QLF was a breathing space for Pashtuns to come together and engage in more inclusive activities. Breaking the monopoly of the main cities is important, politically, but in arts and culture as well. And, the Quetta Literary Festival is a great place to start doing just that.
*Feature Image Source: quettalf.org*
